Sheerness

1. NE Goodwin boarding and landing station (Medway) Pilot boards51°20.2′N 001°39.0′E
2. NE Spit boarding and landing station (Medway) Pilot boards51°25.0′N 001°30.0′E

Size limits

LOA 232.39m, draught 12.0m, beam 35.4m, 38,690DWT

Water density

1022.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Max size. LOA 230m, draught 12.0m.

Tides

Range 5.2m springs, 3.2m neaps.

The tidal streams and the sea level are affected by strong and lasting winds. Those from NE and N raise the level and those from S and SW lower it. During gales the effect may be considerable.

Heavy rain in Sheerness Harbour may cause the out-going steam to run more strongly and the in-going stream less strongly than normal.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

From the vicinity of Medway Lightbuoy (safe water) (51°28.8'N 000°52.9'E) the Medway approach channel, which is marked by lightbuoys numbered from seaward (starboard hand on the N side; port hand and N cardinal on the S side) leads 5.5nm WSW then 0.5nm S into Sheerness Harbour, passing:

NNW of Warden Point (51°25'N 000°54'E) a steep clay cliff, which suddenly rises from the lower coast to the SE, then:

NNW of The Cant (51°27'N 000°52'E), a shoal which extends up to 3.5nm off the coast of Sheppey between Warden Point and Garrison Point. Depths over the shoal are generally regular and the N edge, which runs along the S side of the channel, is steep to. Beacon "F" (orange triangle point down) (51°27.4'N 000°52.6'E) stands on The Cant, with Beacon "E" (orange triangle point down) 2nm WSW and Beacon "D" (orange diamond) a further 0.6nm WSW. There are numerous pieces of wreckage, some of which dry, on The Cant. Then:

SSE of Great Nore (51°28.5'N 000°49.0'E), then:

NNW of Royal Oak Point (51°25'N 000°50'E). A line of wrecks extends 0.15nm N of the point to a beacon (red can), then obstructions extend a further 0.8nm N of the beacon, marked by a buoy (N Cardinal). A drying wreck lies close to the N end of the obstructions. Then:

SSE of SS "Richard Montgomery" (51°28'N 000°47'E), then:

NNW of Cheyney Spit (51°27'N 000°48'E), which lies on the S side of the channel. Cheyney Rocks, which dry and are marked to their NE by a wooden tripod beacon, lie inshore of the spit and 0.3nm N of Bartons Point. The town of Sheerness lies S of the coast between Bartons Point and Garrison Point, 1.75nm WNW. The coast is low, fringed with groynes and protected by a seawall. Swing Bank, Green Bank and Jacobs Bank, all of which dry, front this part of the coast. Then:

SSE of Sheerness Middle Sand (51°28'N 000°46'E), a shoal which extends E from Grain Spit a drying shoal fronting the coast of Isle of Grain, then:

SSE of Little Nore (51°27'N 000°45'E), then:

NNW and W of Garrison Point, (51°27'N 000°45'E) passing well clear to avoid the tidal eddies sometimes present around the point. Garrison Point, on which stands a fort is rounded and formed of shingle. A light (pile structure) is exhibited from the head of the training wall close W of the point. A Ro-Ro berth, marked by a light on its outermost dolphin, extends 0.1nm NE from the point. A lightbuoy (N Cardinal) marks the seaward end of an outfall, 0.2nm W of the berth. Then:

Into sheerness Harbour (51°26.5'N 000°44.5'E) at the mouth of River Medway, to a position W of Sheerness Docks, which form the E side of the harbour and N of the entrance to West Swale. The W side of the harbour is formed by the E coast of Isle of Grain, which is embanked marshland fronted by numerous groynes and then a drying shoal, West Shore, with Grain Tower, a Martello tower, standing at the point of turn. The outfall from the power station runs ESE from the coast. It is marked by a light beacon (starboard hand) at its seaward end.

Port limits

The port limits extend 27.5nm of the tidal river from the Medway Buoy to Allington Lock.

Anchorages

Great Nore anchorage (51°28.5'N 000°49.0'E), in which there are 5 numbered berths "N1-N5", provides safe anchorage, but it is exposed to the E and NW. Strong winds from these directions combined with the tidal stream can cause a considerable sea. Mariners are advised that the area between Medway Lightbuoy and No 1 Lightbuoy (51°28.6'N 000°50.5'E) offers greater manoeuvring room for entry into, and exit from Great Nore Anchorage.

Little Nore anchorage (51°27.3'N 000°45.0'E) lies in the green sector of the light on the E coast of Isle of Grain, N of the approach channel. Vessels using this anchorage must avoid swinging into the approach channel.

Sheerness small ship anchorage (51°27.5'N 000°47.0'E) lies S of the approach channel.

Restrictions

Limiting depth in the channel is 12.5m CD.

Tugs

Tugs of up to 3,400hp are available, throughout 24 hours, contact Adsteam (Medway), Tel: +44 1795 664311.

Two fire fighting tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 1185, 3683. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA for inbound vessels should be passed with the following information through their agents to Medway Navigation Service, (Medway VTS), 24 and 8 hours prior to arrival or on leaving the last port, if the last port is less than 24 hours away.

Communications

VHF: Medway Ports VTS: Ch 16, 74. Port control, pilots services, navigation services, fitted with radar and AIS, callsign "Medway VTS".

Tugs: Ch 73.

Medway VTS, Tel: +44 1795 663025, Fax: +44 1795 666596 and Email: [email protected]

Health

Port Health based at Sheerness, Tel: +44 1795 664279.

Notices and regulations

Marine Coastguard Agency readily inspect vessels as and when necessary.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Available for minor repairs only.

Dry docks

One slipway and cradle, maximum size of craft 30t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: By barge or road tanker, contact agents.

Medical

Medway Accident Centre, Gillingham, 24km.

Transport

Nearest airport: London (Gatwick), 69km.

Airport facilities: Domestic and international connections, crew change and air freight facilities.

Nearest railway: Sheerness.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0700-2100hrs, Sat-Sun 0700-2100hrs.

Where it is

Sheerness is situated at the head of the Medway River at its confluence with the River Thames.

The port

The port has natural deep water with no locks, consisting of 9 berths, 6 with Ro-Ro facilities. Commodities handled at the port include automobiles, containers, dry bulk cargoes, forest products, metals and project cargo.

Where does the pilot board at Sheerness?

The pilot boards at NE Goodwin boarding and landing station (Medway), 51°20.2′N 001°39.0′E. Sheerness has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Sheerness in?

Local time at Sheerness is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Sheerness?

The deepest berth listed is at Port of Sheerness: 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Sheerness?

1022.

Which load line zone is Sheerness in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Sheerness?

Port State Control at Sheerness: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sheerness?

The UN/LOCODE of Sheerness is GBSHS.

What crews who called at Sheerness say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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